“Today’s certification programs have to evolve to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of technological innovation in the auto industry, especially in areas like safety systems,” GM customer care and aftersales collision manager John Eck said in a statement. “Our new program is being designed to measure critical behaviors and procedures that will help ensure every collision repair is done to the highest standards, whether the work is done at a dealership, an independent body shop or by a multi-shop operator.”

“The new GM collision certification program will build on current training- and tools-focused programs, but it is much more comprehensive, adding standards for pre- and post-repair scanning, calibration, and overall repair,” GM wrote in a news release.

However, one element of the CT6 program might carry over to the larger network — the use of OnStar to detect a collision and recommend certified shops. GM has promised it would refer drivers to CT6 shops with OnStar, and it said Tuesday it was “looking at ways to incorporate technologies like OnStar into the process, such as providing drivers with information on qualified collision repair facilities based on vehicle location and crash severity.”

“With Automatic Crash Response, OnStar is typically the first to know an incident has occurred,” OnStar commercial experience director Brian Hoglund said in a statement. “Depending on the vehicle’s repair needs and driver’s well-being, OnStar has the ability to help streamline the repair process while making the experience more convenient for our customers.”

We’ll try and reach GM for more on the program. Continue to check Repairer Driven News for updates.

Featured image: General Motors announced Tuesday it would “launch a comprehensive collision certification program in 2018,” adding what Statista calls the nation’s No. 1 automaker to the list of OEMs developing and recommending customers to auto body shop networks. (Copyright General Motors)